Hey guys... I'm so, so, sorry that it took me so long to update! I've been so busy with school that I haven't had time to write. But I promise to make more time for it. Here's chapter 47 for ya tho! This is only the first part of the photo shoot. I would have posted up the entire thing but.. it would have been too long. So... leave me some reviews for this chapter and I'll post up the second part. Here you go...

General POV

Once they had all gotten their things into the limo all the girls headed to the photo shoot. They were still all exhausted from the plane ride, and were almost falling asleep on their way there. Sooner than they were hoping the limo came to a calm stop. The driver opened the door and they all stepped out into the chilly morning. Mercedes led the girls to the entrance and they walked inside. The atmosphere changed dramatically once they had all come inside. It was loud, bright and hot, from all the lights that had been set up.

"Z, you're here." A man said walking up to Mercedes and lightly resting her hands on her shoulders.

"Yeah Eric I'm here." She said taking his hands off her shoulders.

"Right, I know that your still pissed about this but can we just make the best of it?"

"Fine. Let's just get this over with." She said annoyed.

"Great." He said giving her a big smile. "Let me take that for you." He said taking her bag.

"Thanks Eric. But stop trying to make nice with me cause it's not gonna work."

"Right." He said grabbing hold of her other one anyways. "Umm... follow me. Their waiting for you in hair and makeup." He said leading the girls to a room that had been secluded just for that purpose. He walked in and set her things down turning to the girls. "Tyler will be here in a second to make sure that you're gonna be ok."

"Fine." Mercedes said in a harsh tone.

With that he left the room and they were all left there.

"Z, it's so good to see you!" A tall woman said walking over to Mercedes and giving her a traditional French kiss (one on each cheek).

"Awe.. you too." Mercedes answered hugging her and kissing her back. "I didn't know you were gonna be here." She said pulling away.

"Of course I'm here. I'm always here for your photo shoots. So.. you ready for this then?"

"Defiantly. But first…" She said turning to the rest of the girls and smiling. "Mel, these are my friends." She introduced them and they all gladly took the hand she offered them. "Guy's this is Melizabeth Aubrey. She's the best hair and make-up artist in the world."

The girls took a seat in the crowded room, near the other girl that they presumed was Melizabeth's assistant because she was wearing the same camisole Mel was, and watched as Mercedes sat down in Mel's chair.

"So what are we gonna be doing today?" Mercedes said looking at Mel through the mirror.

"Well, I was thinking, since the photo shoot today is classic beauty, then we could do most of them down, but we can pull it back if you want."

"Sounds good."

"Great, but we gotta do the color first."

"Ok."

She took Mercedes to a sink and began to wash her hair.

"So… Z, talk to me. How are you? You disappear without even a phone call. How have you been?"

"I've been good. Sorry about not calling but I've had a lot going on."

"It's ok. I understand."

"How about you Mel? How have you been?"

"Fantastic. My shampoo line just got picked up and I just signed a 6 figure contract with covergirl."

"Mel, that's great!"

"Yep. Just bought a house in palm beach too."

Just then a tall, handsome guy walked in and eyed the girls tipping his hat as a hello before walking over to Mercedes who was just getting her hair wrapped in a towel.

"Haven't seen you in a while." He said walking up behind her and hugging her.

She turned around in his arms. "Tyler!" She said happily hugging him back.

"How are you girly?" He said with a smile.

"I'm great, how bout you?" She said pulling away and smiling.

"Not well." He said with a broody lip.

"What? Why not?" She said a little concerned.

"Cause when you left, you left me without a job. That's why."

"Oh, shut up." She said swatting him in the arm playfully.

He laughed and she walked back to the chair.

"Ty, these are my friends." She said motioning to the full couch on the side of the room. "Peyton, Haley, and you already know Brooke, Ciara and Monica. Guy's this is Tyler."

"Nice to meet you girls." You could tell he was from the south. He had that thick southern accent.

"You can stop drooling now Hales." Brooke said leaning over to whisper in Haley's ear.

Haley shot a look at Brooke and nudged her in the ribs. Peyton and Ciara laughed and Monica was fast asleep. Mercedes sat back down in Mel's chair and waited while Mel mixed the hair dye.

"Hey Ty, can you get me a soy latte please?"

"Anything for you princess." He said bowing. Z just smiled up at him and shook her head. "What about you guys?" He said turning to the rest of the girls.

"I'll take anything with caffeine." Brooke said getting her magazine out of her purse.

"You got it. How about you two? Peyton and... Haley right? That's a beautiful name by the way." He said with a sly smile in Haley's direction.

"Umm... thanks." Haley said hiding her blushing eyes. "I'll have whatever she's having, thanks."

"Me too." Peyton said giving Haley a little nudge with her elbow.

"Ok. What about you Ciara?"

"I'll have a black tea, please."

"Sure. I don't think Mon's gonna want anything cause well..." he said pointing at the now sleeping Monica on Ciara's shoulder.

"Right. Thanks Ty."

"No problem. I'll be back in a flash." He said walking toward the door.

Tyler left the room, tipping his hat before he did. a few minutes passed and the girls were about to fall asleep right there. Mercedes saw them from the mirror and turned around to face them.

"He's a charmer huh?" She asked getting all their attention

"Who is he?" Peyton asked as Haley leaned on her shoulder

"He's my assistant."

"You two are a little too friendly don't ya think?" Haley said from her position on Peyton's shoulder.

"I don't think we are. He's been my assistant for 3 years, and we used to travel everywhere together. That's why we're so close. But we've never been anything more than friends."

"Huh."

"What huh?"

"Nothing,"

"Haley, you have something to say… say it."

"I was just thinking about what Nathan would have said if he saw how he greeted you when he came in, that's all."

"I don't know why he's so jealous. we're just friends."

"He doesn't wanna lose you Z." Brooke said looking up from her magazine.

"Who's Nathan?" Mel said beginning to put the dye in her hair.

"He's my boyfriend." Z said turning back to face the mirror.

"You have a new boyfriend?"

"Yeah."

"Since when?"

"About a week ago."

"Spill, what's he like?" Mel said excited

"Well… he's tall, brown hair, the most amazing blue eyes, a nice body, plus he's sweet, he actually listens to me, and he's just… amazing."

"Yeah, I know I am." Tyler said walking back in the room.

"Not you Ty." Mercedes said turning to look at him.

"If not me then who?" He said handing her her latte.

"Thank you."

"No problem." He said turning to the rest of the girls and handing them their drinks. "Now… who were you talking about?"

"My boyfriend."

"You have a new boyfriend? Already!" He said talking a seat in a chair that was in the room.

"Thanks Ty! I feel so loved."

"I'm sorry but… don't you think it's a little fast?"

"No it isn't" Brooke said entering the conversation." She broke up with Michael three months ago, and now she's moving on."

"Alright. I mean… it ain't my life. But speaking of… Have you talked to Big Mike lately?"

"I knew you were gonna ask me that." Mercedes said looking at him from his reflection in the mirror.

"Well have you?"

"Hell no I haven't. Why the hell would I?"

"I don't know."

"Ok, let's change the subject." Mel said stopping the two before things got heated.

"Yeah Z." Brooke said helping Mel out. "Like what you and Nathan were doing all alone on the plane earlier."

"We weren't doing anything Brooke. We just slept."

"Really?" Peyton said looking at her with an eyebrow raised. "Cause I saw you guys at Tric, and you may have had some unfinished business to take care of."

"No… and yes I saw you and Jake outside. What's going on with you two anyways?"

"Oh, don't try and change the subject. We're talking about you and Nathan."

"And I'll tell you what happened as soon as you tell me what's going on with you and Jake."

"Nothing going on. We're just friends."

"Do you like him?"

"I don't know. Maybe. He's a really great guy but.. I just think it's too soon."

"Ok Peyton. I won't push you on the subject anymore."

"Thanks. But don't think that just because of that your gonna get out on telling us what happened."

"Ah! Fine, I'll tell you. So.. We were inside and we were dancing and... it was like it was just the two of us out on the dance floor. Like we were both in our own little world."

"How romantic." Tyler said sarcastically.

"Shut up Ty! Anyways... then thing started heating up. So.. He took me outside, pushed me up against the wall and kissed me."

"See.. There's a reason that I always got back together with him." Peyton said taking a sip of her coffee. "Basketball isn't the boys only skill."

"Oh!" Tyler said disgusted. "Do we really have to talk about this?"

"You don't have to be in here Ty." Mercedes said turning to look at him. "But I definitely know what you're talking about Peyton."

"Wait.. How would she know about that?" Ty asked confused.

"She dated him." Z answered

"A long time ago." Peyton explained quickly.

"Wait..." He said beginning to laugh. "He was shared?" He said laughing hysterically.

"So what if he was?" Z said looking at him from the reflection in the mirror. "At least he's wanted." She said softly looking down at her nails.

Tyler heard and automatically stopped laughing. "Oh, that was low." He said genuinely hurt.

"Hey, you're the one that's ragging on my boyfriend." She answered nonchalantly.

"I just though it was funny." He said defensively.

"Ok. You go ahead and think it's funny. But don't expect me not to hurt your feelings if your talking about my boyfriend."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Anyways..." Mel said as she finished putting the dye in Z's hair. "What are you doing after this?"

"We're going out to dinner I guess."

"Oh, fancy."

"Yeah. It'll be fun."

"Listen... if you want I can do all you girls."

"Really?" Z asked looking at Mel in the mirror.

"Sure. It's not like I'm doing anything else today. I always clear a whole day for your shoots and I'll just be here for touch ups after that so.. I can do all of you by the time you guys leave."

"Thanks Mel."

"Yeah, no problem." She turned to her assistant and finished fastening the clip to Z's hair. "Hey Jen, can you get Brooke washed up please?"

"Sure." Jen said getting up and leading Brooke to the sink.

"Ok Z your done. It'll just have to be in for a while and then Jen'll rinse you out so I can style it."

"Ok." Z said getting up from the chair.

They all chatted while they were getting their hair done. They would occasionally get interrupted by Tyler asking a stupid question or making a smart ass remark but other than that they were all having a blast just sitting around and talking. Mercedes was beginning to get a little upset. Nathan hadn't called her at all and it was almost noon. She hadn't shot her pictures yet either. The photographer was late and he was just starting to get the things ready for her. She knew she would probably be there longer than she had expected. As if she didn't have enough to deal with, the editor that was doing the interview was there and was waiting to get a chance to talk to her. So Mercedes decided that she might as well just get it out of the way now. She gave Tyler her purse and told him that if anyone called her to just take a message. Unless it was her dad, then he could interrupt her. Tyler then went and told the woman that Z was ready for her.

"Hi, I'm Chrysta." The young lady said shaking her hand. She looked young. Early 20s probably.

"Nice to meet you." Z answered politely shaking her hand. She looked around the noisy set until she finally found the rec room. "Shall we?" She said signaling Chrysta to it.

Chrysta nodded her head with a smile as she followed Mercedes to the rec room and followed her into it. Mercedes closed the door behind her and led Chrysta to the two couches and coffee table in the middle of the room. She signaled Chrysta to take a seat, and she followed after her.

"So..."Mercedes said crossing her legs and looking at Chrysta questionably.

"Right. Let's get to it then. So Mercedes, first of all I wanted to say thank you for doing this today."

"No problem. Glad to be here." She said with a smile.

"Great. So... I understand this is the first interview you've given since the death of your mother."

"That's correct."

"How have you been dealing with all that?"

"Some days are harder than others. But I have a lot of people to help me through it."

"By the amount of people that are here today, I can tell."

"Yeah."

"So... there have been many rumors circulating about you Mercedes. Would you mind clearing a few things up?"

"Not at all. Actually, I'd like to know what they are." Mercedes said suddenly intrigued.

"Alright, great. So first of all, is it true that you are no longer living in Los Angeles?"

"Yes, that's true."

"So where have you gone off to so secretively?"

"Umm..." Mercedes was beginning to get a little annoyed again. What is it with these people? Why was it that they always wanted to get into her business. "I'd... I'd rather keep that to myself if that's ok." She said politely trying to get the message across.

"Sure. No problem. And is it also true that it had something to do with you breaking up with your ex-boyfriend Michael Adams?"

"No. It defiantly had nothing to do with him. I had made up my mind about getting away from this life before we broke up."

"Why is it that you to broke up? You two were seen everywhere together and then all of a sudden it was over."

"Let's just say that some of us were trying harder to make the relationship work than others." Z answered with a penetrating stab of hurt in her voice.

"Which brings me to my next question..." Chrysta added without a second to spare. "Since you two broke up you've been spotted with LA's finest bad boys."

"LA's bad boy's huh?" Z said with a slight laugh. "And who might they be?"

"Leaving most of LA's hottest spots with 50 Cent, Usher, P. Diddy, T.I... holding hands with Nick Cannon?"

"Nick and I are just friends. And... I like to go out and have a good time. It's nice to have some company."

"But... it would be understandable if you explored the dating scene." Chrysta said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"I know it would be." She said taken aback at how some people just thought they could make comments about your life be totally ok with it. "But I've never been that kind of girl. I like being in a solid relationship." She said looking away from her and thinking about Nathan.

"Wait... what was that?" Chrysta asked leaning in and smiling at the way Mercedes acted.

"What was what?" She answered innocently.

"The whole... shy thing?"

"Let's just say... I'm done partying." She said with a small smile.

"Care to elaborate?" Chrysta said with a smile

"I have no reason to be "exploring the dating scene" " Z said quoting Chrysta's earlier remark.

"So… your not single?"

"Nope."

"Do you wanna tell me a little bit about him?"

"Well… we haven't been together long but… he's the greatest guy I've ever met." She said with a sigh.

"Then I'm guessing that your over Michael."

"That I am."

Chrysta was about to ask her next question when Tyler peaked his head in through the door.

"Sorry to interrupt" He said coming in with Z's phone in hand. "Z, it's your dad."

"Ok, thanks." Z said turning to him and getting up. "If you'll excuse me for a moment." She said turning to look at Chrysta.

"Yeah, of course." Chrysta answered with a smile as she got up.

Z followed Tyler out of the Rec room and onto the set. He handed her her phone and, she thanked him as she walked towards the exit.

"Hey Dad." She said taking a seat on the curb.

"Hey sweetie, happy birthday."

"Thanks."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I'm on my way to a meeting right now."

"It's ok Dad. I understand."

"How are you? Are you doing anything special today?"

"I'm good. Wanting to get the hell done with this photo shoot so I can get out of here. Then… I guess Q made plans for us to go to dinner or something…"

Z's father laughed at the predictable response he heard. It made Z smile just to hear her father laugh. Something that she hadn't heard much since the last time she saw him.

"Well… at least you get to go out afterwards right?"

"Right." Z said with a smile.

"Ok… well… I have to go. Have a great birthday honey. Tell Ty to give you the letter-"

"What letter?" Z said cutting him off.

"You'll see. Ok… I love you and I'll call you again soon."

"I love you too Dad."

"Bye sweetie."

"Bye."

She waited for a second, hoping, praying, that he would keep talking to her but… after a moment she heard the click on her phone. She sadly closed it pressing it against her palm. She walked back onto the hectic set and walked toward Ty, who was talking to Brooke. On her way to him she noticed that Chrysta was no longer in the rec room but was talking to Haley and Peyton, who both had their hair wrapped in towels. Z laughed at the look on their faces as Chrysta bombarded them with questions.

"Hey Ty my-" She began but was soon cut off by Ty pulling out an envelope and handing it to her.

"Here you go." He said with a smile.

"Thanks." She said taking the letter form him with a smile.

He nodded his head and she turned around and began walking away. Z walked back into the rec room, closing the door behind her. She sat on the couch pulling her legs on the couch as well.

'My mom would kill me if she saw I had my shoes on the couch' She thought to herself. She saddened at the thought but was surprisingly happy at the same time.

She settled herself on the couch and opened the envelope pulling out the piece of paper inside. She unfolded it and began to read...

"Mercedes,

Today is your seventeenth birthday. I wish I was there to share it with you . But you know how hectic this job can get. I promise to make it up to you though. I want you to know that I'm there with you, even if I'm not. I need you to know that all the memories that we have had have not been wasted on me. The time that I spent with you and your mother were the happiest moments of my life. You know your mother loved you Z, and always will." She looked away from the letter trying her hardest to keep from crying. But the deep breaths she was taking weren't helping her much. "Sometimes when I look at you, I swear I can see her. It's as if her spirit is still living inside of you. She would be so proud of you, just like I am. You've become such an amazing woman in the last three years. You're definitely not my little girl anymore. You're everything that a father could ever hope for, and so much more. Always remember that I love you and that I will always be here for you. Have an amazing seventeenth birthday, surround yourself with people who love you, and most of all, enjoy it. After all you're only seventeen once.

Love, Dad"

She gripped the letter in her hands, as she pulled her knees to her face. She knew her father loved her. Even if he was never around, she knew that he did. And she would always try and make him proud of her. But... at that moment... she still felt completely alone. Even if all her close friends were right outside the door... the two people that she wanted-needed to be there were gone. Her father was always away at his job, and her mother...that was the last thing she wanted to think about right now. She sobbed softly as she hugged herself tighter. Just letting herself cry, drowning herself in her tears. After a few minutes she heard the door open behind her. She looked up to see Nathan walk in with a smile on his face. His smile fell as soon as soon as he looked her in the eyes, and he rushed over to her.

"Hey, what's wrong?' He asked taking a seat next to her and resting his hand on her knee.

"Nathan..." She whispered falling into his arms.

He was confused, that was for sure. He had no idea why she was so upset. But he knew that he just had to be there for her, and she would explain things to him when she was ready. She sobbed in his arms, grateful that he was there to hold her. It amazed her that even in a state where her emotions were all over that place... she still felt so safe in his arms. She began to clam down, and her breathing began to normalize.

"Baby..."Nathan said pulling away from her just enough to look her in the eyes. "Come on... tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry." She said after taking a deep breath. "I'm just being a baby about this letter." She said looking away from him.

"What is it?" He asked softly brushing her tears away with his thumb.

"It's just a letter from my dad."

"Is everything ok?"

She shook her head yes, and swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat.

"Yeah every things fine. It's just..."She looked up into his eyes and saw that he was genuinely concerned. She felt stupid now, and looked down at her hands embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I don't know why this is affecting me this much." she said fiddling with his jacket zipper. "I guess I just miss him."

"Mercedes don't apologize." He said taking her back into his arms. "He's your dad. It's understandable your upset." She shook her head and he pulled her closer to him, and kissed the top of her head. After a moment he pulled away from her and looked her straight in the eyes. "Just promise me one thing.." He said brushing her bangs out of her eyes.

"Ok, anything."

"No more tears." He said with a small smile.

"No more tears." She answered giving him a half smile in return.

"Good." He said smiling, placing a kiss on her lips. She smiled on his lips and cupped his face in her hands pulling his lips closer to hers. After the kiss ended she pulled away from him and stood up.

"Let's go do this, so we can get the hell outta here." She said pulling him off the couch.

He laughed lightly and got up taking her hand. They were about to leave the room when she stopped him and turned him to face her. She looked up into his eyes but said nothing.

"What?" He asked confused.

"Thank you for this babe. For being here with me."

"Always." He said with a smile.

"I love you Nathan. You know that right?" She said seriously.

"Z? Where is this coming from?" He asked confused.

"Nowhere. I just... I need you to know."

"I know. And... I love you too."

She shook her head and he leaned down to kiss her, she gladly kissed him back. He pulled away from her and smiled as he opened the door. She smiled back, and followed him back on the set...

There you are! Chapter 47! I'll try and post up chapter 48 by the end of the weekend. Thanks to you that left reviews for my authors note. OTH-Mrs. Broody, brathanfan, Newyorkchicka.. YOU GUYS ROCK! Also... thanks to hoLamOchIlafor reviewing chapters 14 and 15. Your the best! I do have one question tho... do you think I should start adding some more sexual situations in the story? And should they be graphic? Let me know in your reviews! Thanks! Peace!